Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Saturtainment: Flames of Doom (Return to The Planet of The Apes, 1975)

 "Flames of Doom" was the series opener of Return to The Planet of The Apes, a short-lived adaptation of Pierre Boulle's original novel that hewed closer to the novel than the movies and the previous season's live-action series had.

Worth noting is that Austin Stoker (Jeff) was the only cast member with any previous experience in the franchise, having appeared in "Battle For The Planet of The Apes". 

Whereas in the movies and the CBS series, this version has three astronauts, including one female, Judy (Claudette Nevins, ex-Headmaster). Henry Corden steps in for Mark Lenard as General Urko.

The character designs were done by associate producer Doug Wildey, the creator of Jonny Quest.


Considering this was the first straight dramatic series for DFE, this deserved a better fate. Unfortunately, it aired opposite a pair of Krofft sci-fi entries, Lost Saucer (ABC) & Far Out Space Nuts (CBS), and viewers, it seems, were more enamored with the pairing of Jim Nabors & Ruth Buzzi....!

Rating: A.

No comments: